Martin's First Cruise on the
Silver Spirit around the
Mediterranean
November
2021

Flag: Date: Port: Comment:
8th
Nov.
2021
BoMoH
-->
Hounslow
SkyLark
MoTeL
9th
Nov.
2021
Piraeus
Athens
Greece
On
board by
4:20!
10th
Nov.
2021
Fira
Santorini
Greece
Too windy
to land!
11th
Nov.
2021
Rhodes
Greece
Tour Escort
to Lindos
& Rhodes
12th
Nov.
2021
Heraklion
Crete
Greece
Two trips
into the
City
14th
Nov.
2021
Syracuse
Sicily
Italy
Catania &
Mount Etna
Tour Escort
15th
Nov.
2021
Trapani
Sicily
Italy
Panoramic
Trapani &
Olive Oil Farm
17th
Nov.
2021
Palma
Mallorca
Spain
am Walk
into City
pm Port Talk
18th
Nov.
2021
Valencia
Spain
Beach,
Metro &
City Centre
19th
Nov.
2021
Barcelona
Spain
Walk into
the City
Flag: Date: Port: Comment:

Monday
8th of November 2021
BoMoH --> Hounslow

   I awoke at 6:45 ready to break my fast with TWO fried eggs. I left home at 10 o'clock and had an easy run to London. I stopped off at Tesco's superstore in Sunbury to eat my picnic and sleep for one hour. I got to my £50 B&B at the Skylark Motel in West London at two o'clock. After settling in, I walked into Hounslow Central, but bought nothing.

   Back at Hounslow West, I bought some crisps to go with the tomatoes I needed to use up for my supper. I watched the new Channel Five news programme with Sian Williams at five o'clock, whilst starting this blog. I went to bed at nine o'clock having done over ten thousand steps equal to four miles of walking during the day.


Tuesday
9th of November 2021
LHRow --> ATHens

   I awoke at 4:15, forty five minutes before my alarms, when the people next door got up. After showering, I had two mugs of tea in the dining room. I caught the five o'clock tube train from Hounslow West to LHRow Terminal Five. I was all checked-in by 5:30, when I went walkabout outside, but it was still dark. I had to take the transit train to satellite terminal 5B and then a bus passed terminal 5C to the central area, passing the Shell aviation fuel station and the new control tower.

   The Airbus A320 was only two thirds full, so I had a spare seat next me. We pulled back 20 minutes late and took off ten minutes later. Once airborne, I got out my laptop to update this blog and work on my Caribbean PowerPoints. During the flight we were given a bottle of water to drink and a fruit bar to eat.

   We landed after 3 hours and 20 minutes and I got through Athens airport in just over half an hour. They wanted to see my Greek Locator Form, but not my Vax certificate. Constantinos was waiting to whisk me away in a Mercedes Benz limousine, which took just 45 minutes to get to the port.

The temple of the winds in Athens, Greece

The temple of the winds in Athens, Greece

   Here we had to wait half an hour for the previous batch of guests to be processed and then the testing hall could be sanitised. I met up with ACD Katherina and only had to wait ten minutes for my CoViD test result to come through, so I was on board by 4:20 (which was 2:20 on GMT).

   I found I had a suite with balcony, walk-in closet and bathroom with both shower and full sized bath! At 5:30 we had the safety drill in La Dolce Vita lounge, followed at 6:30 by the introductions in the Panorama lounge. At seven I hosted the solo travellers: Elaine from Dublin, Barbara from Atlanta, Alan from Odiham, Stephen from Michigan and Sheri, who didn't stay for dinner. We were joined by the two Jewellery ladies: Isabel from Spain and Andressa from Brazil.

   At 7:45 I popped up to La Terraza Italian restaurant to reserve a table for seven. We began with a small glass each of the rose prosecco with the Anti Pasti sharing plates. I had the lentil soup to begin, followed by the Inslata Capresse. I main coursed on the large veal chop, followed by the Casatta Siciliana. At 9:45 Alan and myself adjourned to the Panorama lounge where we both had two dances each with Barbara. I touched base at the Silver Note restaurant and at reception to secure a birthday cake for Barbara and dinner reservation for the single travellers tomorrow evening. I was asleep by 11 o'clock (9 pm GMT) having done over nine thousand steps equivalent to nearly four miles of walking during the day.


Wednesday
10th of November 2021
First Sea Day

   Having left my balcony curtains open, I was awoken at 6:40 by the red sky of dawn over Santorini. At 7:25 I broke my fast with the full English breakfast in La Terrazza accompanied by a tomato juice, but it was too windy to sit outside. At 8 o'clock I was in the Observatory when the Captain announced it was too windy to tender into Santorini, so I offered my "Mamma Mia" lecture to Katherina. She also sorted out my internet service level for me, before phoning back later to say that my Rhodes lecture had been moved from 17:30 to 10:00. Then Roy the Cruise Director rang to say that since the stage manager was new, could I get to the theatre early for my sound and video check? Gerry came to do the room, as I was updating my Rhodes talk. Roy phoned again to ask me to do my enrichment lecture at 2 pm.

   At 9:15 I went to the Venetian Lounge theatre to set up with Sebastian from Chile and Joao from Brazil. At 10 o'clock I gave my 45 minute lecture on Rhodes, complete with a video at the end, to 32 guests (about one quarter of those on board). Back in my cabin I worked on my new Dell laptop. At noon I lunched on the lemon sole with chips al fresco by the pool in the warm sunshine. At 1:30 I returned to the Venetian Lounge theatre to set up for my enrichment lecture.

   At two o'clock I gave my 40 minute "Mamma Mia" talk, followed by a chat with a Danish couple. I then slept for three quarters of an hour, before spending 15 minutes in one of the three jacuzzis. At 4:30 I sat out nearly naked on my balcony to watch the sail in to Rhodes in the warm setting sun. I got off the ship at 5:25 as it grew dark. I walked through the Jewish quarter to the Christian quarter and then exited the old town. I then walked through the new town to get to the d'Amboise gate back into the old town again. I traversed the Muslim quarter to get back to the Jewish quarter and returned to the ship having taken just a few pictures with my old phone. Although this was my seventh visit to Rhodes this year, this was my very first over nighting here!

   At seven o'clock I collected my tour escort bag and hosted the solo travellers in the Captain's cocktail party. All the guests from the previous night attended plus Sheri the travel agent from Seattle. At eight o'clock I led them up to the Silver Note restaurant, where we had two tables each of four people. I sat with Elaine, Sheri and Alan, whilst Isabel and Andressa sat with Stephen and birthday girl Barbara. Sheri ordered the lobster to start, but was given the lamb instead, so I swapped dishes with her. I then had the lobster and duck with vegetables as my main courses.

   When the jazz singer started singing, I did two dances with Barbara. Then the birthday cake arrived and the singer led off "Happy Birthday". After Sheri & Elaine had said their farewells, I slipped away too. Back in my cabin, I watched my Rhodes port talk which had appeared on the TV along side my "Mamma Mia" lecture. I went to bed at eleven o'clock having done over four thousand steps which is nearly two miles of walking during the day.


Thursday
11th of November 2021
Remembrance Day
Rhodes

   I awoke at six o'clock, half an hour before my alarms. Having showered, I updated this blog, before breaking my fast at seven in La Terrazza buffet. At eight o'clock I was on duty to escort the all day tour for seven people to Lindos acropolis & Rhodes old town (USD 149). We had a one hour drive south west to Lindos followed by the stiff walk down to the town and then up to the acropolis. During one hour's free time, I slowly descended from the acropolis via the donkey track, photographing some lovely little chapels on the way.

The church in Lindos, Rhodes

The church in Lindos, Rhodes

   After having walked back up the hill to the parking lot, we had the one hour drive back to Rhodes town. Here we made our way to the Auvergne Auberge for a lavish lunch, where I said hello to Barbara. We began with a Greek meze plate, followed by beef and potatoes in gravy with a Greek salad on the side. We finished with the lovely orange cake. I was sat with Stephen from Michigan/Arizona, a lady from Chicago and Mark from the Silversea office in London. The latter kindly paid for my beer, which we had ordered in preference to the wine already included.

   We then had a half hour panoramic drive around the new town, before alighting at the d'Amboise gate, where I had been at six o'clock last night in the dark! We then toured the enormous Palace of the Grand Masters, complete with the famous Roman mosaics from the island of Kos. We walked down the medieval Street of the Knights to get back to the caoch.

   Back at the ship at 4:15, I updated this blog and got ready for my next port talk. At 5:30 I gave my 40 minute talk on Heraklion. At seven o'clock I hosted the single travellers as usual. I then led Barbara, Elaine and Alan down to the Atlantide main restaurant on deck four. Here I had the Thai green chicken curry followed by the chocolate dessert.

   At 9:45 I accompanied Barbara to singer Carlo Pavan's excellent cabaret which included MoTown, pop and swing songs. I went straight to bed not having had my siesta during the afternoon. I had done over fourteen thousand steps equal to nearly six miles of walking during the day.


Friday
12th of November 2021
Heraklion
Crete

   I awoke at 7:20 with the light from my balcony. I had TWO eggs Benedict sat next to Elaine in La Terrazza. On the other side of me was a couple from Boars' Hill near Oxford, where the Open University used to have its southern regional office.

   I was soon off the ship walking into Heraklion, the capital of Crete. I turned left at the Dolphin statue for the city centre. I went in St. Titus's church which was orginally a mosque and so is a huge cube with a dome, not in a cross shape. In St. Mark's former Basilica they had an interesting exhibition on the unsuccessful Cretan revolutions of the 19th century against the Ottoman Turkish occupation. It included the ancient monks' refectory table from the famous monastery near Chania. I went in the cathedral and the little church alongside. I found the neoclassical fountain on the west side of the old city, before walking back to the ship along the prom.

   Back at the ship at eleven o'clock, I had one SMALL Puttanesca pizza, before sleeping for over two hours. At 2:30 I caught the shuttle bus back into Heraklion and walked around the eastern side of the old city, before walking back to the ship. Here I had twenty minutes in one of the three hot tubs.

   At 5:30 I gave my forty minute talk on Santorini to eleven people, in spite of us not having been able to land there. This was a bizarre lecture for me talking about things we couldn't see and do! At seven I hosted the solos as usual and took Barabara, Elaine & Alan down to the Indochine (pronounced Indosheen) oriental restaurant. We began with Manhattan cocktails followed by our choice of wine or beer. I had the egg drop noodle soup, the Gato salad and the main course beef. I finished with the pistacio ice cream, plus a little of Barbara's creme brulee and Elaine's meringue.

   At 9:45 I went to the three girl singers' excellent cabaret. I particularly liked the Dusty Springfield medley and the use of the TV screens on the sides of the stage. After the show I went to bed and was asleep before eleven. During the day I had done over twenty thousand steps, equal to over eight miles of walking!


Saturday
13th of November 2021
Second Sea Day

   I awoke at 7:05 to the dawn from my open curtains. At eight o'clock I again had TWO eggs Benedict sat next to Elaine in La Terrazza. Back in my suite, I worked on my two Sicilian presentations as Gerry changed the bed linen at the half way point of the cruise. I touched base with Henry who gave me updated information on Syracuse and Trapani. I then had my complimentary rapid antigen Lateral Flow Test (LFT) without queuing in the card room.

   At ten o'clock I gave my 35 minute talk on both Italian ports. Unfortunately guests cannot go ashore independently, so I was asked not to cover the sights and walks I would normally do. Instead I only did the history and shore excursions available. At 11:15 I went to the culinary demonstration posted as on macaroons (made with coconut flour), but actually on macarons (made with almond flour). I had half a glass of champagne to drink and one red macaron to eat.

   At 12:15 I had my first cheese burger and fries with no bun of the cruise by the pool, listening to Charlie playing. He sang "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, I must ask him if he does the two latest hits: "Bad Habits" and "Shivers"! I then slept for nearly an hour and a half, interrupted by a wrong number and missing the 2:30 line dancing. I then worked on my upcoming Caribbean presentations.

   At five o'clock I spent twenty minutes in one of the jacuzzis, but it had clouded over. At 6:45 I collected my tour escort bag and then hosted the single travellers as usual. Alan and Barbara had a reservation at La Dame the French restaurant and Stephen did his own thing, so I escorted just Elaine and Sheri to the Hot Rocks Grill by the pool.

   I began with the Caesar salad with anchovies and then cooked a filet mignon on the hot lava stone myself. I had a jacket potato with butter and TWO vegetable skewers. Sheri kindly gave me half of her steak too! I had the red wine to wash it all down. Elaine enjoyed the well done lamb chops. I had TWO scoops of pistacio ice cream to finish.

   At 9:45 I sat opposite Elaine for the Grande Amore operatic production show, which I have seen several times before, but always enjoy. I was asleep by 11 o'clock tired, in spite of only doing a little walking during the day.


Remembrance Sunday
The 14th of November, 2021
Syracuse (Siracusa)
Sicily, Italy

   I awoke at 7:05 to the dawn, but it was now only 6:05 on Central European Time (CET). I had a marvellous view of a snow covered Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, from my balcony! I broke my fast with TWO eggs Benedict sat next to Elaine in La Terrazza in the bright sunshine.

   At 7:30 I collected the guide's voice transmitter ready for escort duty at eight (USD 129). I had suddenly become Il Marittimo (the Seaman) Facente Parte (Crew Member) instead of being on the pax manifest! I began my spiel: "Good morning, my name is Martin and I am the destination lecturer on board the ship. I will be your tour escort today, so do ask me any questions you may have. I am wearing a red poppy because it is Remembrance Sunday in the UK today. I can help anyone having trouble with the iTour Smart Guide App. I should like to introduce our driver - he is Salvatore. (Pause for responses) I should like to introduce our guide - she is Josephine. (Hand over the microphone to her)"

   We drove for over an hour north to Catania, where we had a walking tour of University Place (Piazza della Universita) and Cathedral Place (Piazza Duomo). Inside the cathedral we saw the mummified remains of a local cardinal! Inside the city hall we saw some old carriages. HAPag-Lloyd's (Hamburg America Packet ship company) Europa 2 was berthed in the harbour, but we didn't see any Germans in town on Remembrance Sunday!

   Next we drove up Mount Etna to the Crateri Silvestri (6,398 feet above sea level) in glorious sunshine. Here I shelled out 1.50 euros on a street map of Catania for future reference. We then had an extensive vegetarian Sicilian lunch, ending with my favourite pistacio ice cream, with just one glass of local red wine each. Need less to say, I slept on the way back to the ship! I began my spiel: "Wakey, wakey - we are nearly back at the ship! Please join with me in thanking Salvatore and Josephine for a super day out!"

Syracuse (Siracusa)

Syracuse (Siracusa)

   I had to fill in my report using the horrid Adobe Acrobat Reader. (I hate Adobe even more than I hate Apple iTunes, they are both the work of the devil designed to lock you in!) Henry couldn't get my report into WhatsApp and then lost it, but thankfully I had already saved it elsewhere, so he eventually posted it for me!

   I spent just ten minutes in one of the hot tubs as dusk came on. At 6:45 I hosted the singles as usual. Barbara, having bought some expensive diamond ear rings, was dining in La Terrazza with the two jewellery ladies Isabel and Andressa. We were joined by Georgette from Zurich and English Stuart & his wife Donna.

   At 7:30 I led Elaine, Georgette and Alan down to the Atlantide main restaurant. I began with the thick mushroom soup with one king scallop followed by the veal tenderloin. I finished with the sugar free Fantasia dessert. Elaine then took me to the Arts cafe for after dinner chocolates. I had one each of the flakes: white, milk and dark chocolate.

   At 9:45 Elaine and I went to the Venetian lounge theatre, where CD Roy congratulated me on all the positive comments I had garnered in the mid cruise questionnaire! Twenty six year old Jonathan Stevens began his excellent "From West End to Broadway" musical theatre cabaret with "Oh What a Wonderful Morning" from Oklahoma. He ended with "This is the Moment" from Jekyll & Hyde. I knew most of the classic songs, but there were a few that were new to me. He also duetted with one of the girl singers and one of the boy singers too.

   At 10:30 I retired to my suite, but was unable to watch by Sicilian lecture as it it had failed the video finalisation process! During the day I had done nearly nine thousand steps equal to nearly four miles of walking.


Monday
15th of November 2021
Trapani, Sicily
Italy

   I awoke at six o'clock half an hour before my alarms to the breaking dawn. I watched the transit passed the off shore islands as we sailed into Trapani. I broke my fast with TWO eggs Benedict sat between Elaine and Georgette in La Terrazza with a view of the Egadi islands. I sat in the Observation library to watch the sail in to Trapani in the bright sunshine.

   At 9:30 I was on duty to escort the olive oil tasting tour (USD 119), my first choice tour to Moiza island having been cancelled. We drove out to the point for a photo stop, but nobody wanted to get out. We headed south passed the famous salt pans to the Fontanasalsa (Sauce Fountain) farm. Here we saw the processing of the freshly picked olives to make the extra virgin olive oil.

   In the huge dining hall we had a meze plate to begin, with a sesame seed bread roll. The main course was the local Trapani pasta with local Trapanese pesto sauce. The dessert was two slices of kiwi fruit and one thick slice of pineapple. I did two dances with guide Filippa as the lady guitarist warbled away. We ended with ice cream and expresso coffee in the farmyard.

   Back at the ship, I slept for an hour and a half, before spending 35 minutes in one of the hot tubs, as we sailed away from Trapani. The local honey coloured buildings were illuminated by the setting sun, which I watched from the jacuzzi, as it disappeared behind one of the Egadi islands. At 6:45 I went to La Dolce Vita lounge to host the solo travellers as usual.

   At 7:30 I led Elaine, Georgette and Stephen down to the Indochine oriental restaurant, with Barbara and Alan following later. I had two mini pina colada cocktails to start followed by the beef curry noodle consomme. I majored on the Osso Bucco shank of veal, but it was a bit fatty. I finished with the sour cherry sorbet. I had one bottle of Thai Singha beer.

   At 9:45 I sat with Elaine and Georgette in the Venetian Lounge theatre to hear the "Lyrically Yours" production show by the six Voices of Silversea. This included songs by the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Paul Simon, Billy Joel and Elton John amongst others. I was asleep by eleven having done five and a half thousand steps equal to two miles of walking during the day.


Tuesday
16th of November 2021
Third Sea Day

   I awoke at seven o'clock to the dawn with views of the southern end of Sardinia. I broke my fast with a cheese omelette with crispy bacon and tomato juice for a change sat next to Elaine. Back in my suite, I updated this blog and my up coming presentation. I touched base with Henry at the Shore Excursions desk, before giving my 40 minute talk on Palma de Mallorca. Unfortunately the red signal to the projector kept cutting out, particularly inappropriate as I talked about the famous Vermillion room!

   At 11:15 I went to the Filipino Lumpia(ng) snack food demonstration. I had half a glass of champagne and a small portion of the snack the chef was cooking. Next I went up to the top deck Spaccanapoli pizzeria to have the trio of starters followed by a SMALL Puttanesca pizza. I then slept for an hour and a half.

   At 2:30 I went to Yessy's 25 minute line dance class where she taught three beginner dances, each of which had a central section of four grapevines. At four o'clock I spent twenty minutes in the middle hot tub, despite it being overcast, the jaccuzi on the right had three young ladies and the jacuzzi on the left had two gay boys. Normally I have the choice of all three in which to wallow and be massaged! I then worked on my Montserrat slides interrupted by Katharina asking for another enrichment lecture from me.

   At 6:45 I adjourned to La Dolce Vita lounge to host the single travellers. I had a couple of dances with Barbara as Natalia played up tempo tunes on the piano. Alan and Barbara had dinner dates elsewhere, so I led Elaine, Georgette and Stephen down to the Atlantide main restaurant. I began with the meat balls in tomato soup, followed by the New York strip steak with chips and asparagus. I finished with the daily special dessert of blueberries in filo pastry layers.

   At 9:45 I sat behind Elaine in the Venetian lounge theatre to watch the excellent Voce dell'Opera showtime. Eleanor & Tom, coming from a musical theatre training, sang about one third opera, one third operetta (G&S, Lehar) and one third musical theatre (West Side Story etc). Natalia accompanied them for most of the numbers on the grand piano, with just a few songs using backing tracks. I was asleep by eleven o'clock, having done just over five thousand steps equal to two miles of walking during the day.


Wednesday
17th of November 2021
Palma de Mallorca
Spain

   I awoke at 6:10 twenty minutes before my alarm, but it was still dark. At seven o'clock I broke my fast with TWO eggs Benedict and a glass of tomato juice. Elaine didn't arrive until 7:15, by which time I had finished by break fast.

   I was one of the first off the ship just after eight o'clock, walking the three miles into the city centre along the prom by the marinas. I climbed up to the Es Baluard bastion for the views of the harbour and the river. I walked passed the gothic stock exchange to the old sea wall, which I had never properly walked along before. At the far end, I cut back up in to the old quarter, but they were charging to go into San Francisco's convent. I did however go in to Santa Eulalia's church. As I finished my tour, the bell rang and a priest came out to conduct the 10:30 mass for a handful of people.

Castle above Palma de Mallorca

Castle above Palma de Mallorca

   I caught the eleven o'clock shuttle bus back to the ship having walked six miles in total. I went straight up to the top deck Spaccanaapoli pizzeria for my favourite SMALL Puttanesca pizza. I then slept over two hours, awakening ten minutes before my alarm.

   At three o'clock I gave my 40 minute talk on Valencia to a reasonably sized audience given that the sun was shining and we were still in port. At the end, a couple came up to me to thank me for pointing out the Joan Miro foundation just one mile from the ship! Back in my cabin I started packing, as I was been upgraded at five o'clock from deck five to deck eight. In fact my butler Rigel came at 4:30 to take my things to my new vista suite, but without a balcony or a full size bath.

   At 5:10 I spent twenty minutes in the central hot tub with two couples drinking champagne in the one on my right. Back in my new suite, I finally uploaded the pictures from all my previous ports to my laptop as back up. Unfortunately I forgot that tonight's show was on at 6:15, which was why my port talk had been on so early! At 6:45 I hosted the solo travellers as usual.

   At 7:30 I led Elaine, Stephen and Alan up to La Terrazza Italian restaurant. I began with the vegetable broth, which was like minestone soup, followed by the Catherine de Medici salad with extra olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I main coursed on the fillet of beef and finished with my favourite Cassata Siciliana! I had the Basilicata red wine to wash it all down. I was asleep by ten o'clock having done seventeen and a half thousand steps, equivalent to seven miles of walking during the day!


Thursday
18th of November 2021
Valencia
Spain

   I got up at 6:10 and broke my fast at seven o'clock in La Terrazza sat beside Elaine. I had a cheese omelette with crispy bacon and one glass each of tomato juice and sparkling water. Unfortunately we were berthed way out on the breakwater, where they had set up temporary marquee tents, not at the usual cruise terminal.

   I was one of the first off the ship at 8:35 walking around the port to the beach which took nearly an hour. I went in the Holy Week museum which had free admission to see the religious floats which are wheeled around the city. I then caught the metro into the city centre alighting at Columbus (Colon) station.

   I went in the English Cut (El Corte Ingles) department store to use their top floor loo and their free wi-fi. I walked around City Hall Place (Plaza del Ayuntamiento) before reaching the famous central market. I circled the gothic stock/silk exchange, before going in St. Catherine's church.

   I then went around Queen's Place (Plaza de la Reina) which was being renovated. I went in the Basilica of the Virgin, before crossing the linear park (Jardines del Turia) to get to the new shuttle bus stop. Here I bumped into Sheri, before taking the noon bus back to the ship, having walked over eighteen thousand steps or over seven miles!

   I lunched on a cheese burger and fries with no bun, before sleeping for an hour and a half. I put my finishing touches to my Barcelona talk and updated this blog. At four o'clock I had my next complimentary lateral flow test (LFT), before wallowing in the jacuzzi. I then spent twenty minutes in the central hot tub, interrupted by a short shower, the first of the cruise to have affected me. At 5:30 I gave my 35 minute Barcelona talk. Sebastian got my Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe video running in a loop as they came in.

   At 6:45 I hosted the single travellers as usual. At eight o'clock I led Elaine, Georgette, Sheri, Alan and Stephen up to the Silver Note restaurant. I began with the lobster followed by the beef starter. I then had TWO main courses (they were quite small) the duck and the lamb! I finished with the sugar volcano dessert.

   At 9:30 Barbara came up to join us and I had two dances with her to Kim and Didi's music. The party broke up at ten o'clock and I went back to my vista suite to watch my Barcelona talk on the TV. I was asleep by eleven o'clock.


Friday
19th of November 2021
Turn Around Day
Barcelona
Spain

   I awoke at 6:10, twenty minutes before my alarm. At seven o'clock I had TWO eggs Benedict sat with Elaine in La Terrazza restaurant as usual. At eight o'clock I had my SECOND complimentary lateral flow test in less than 16 hours! I was off the ship by 8:15, walking the two miles into the city.

   I went up the famous Las Ramblas to Catalonia Place, where I went in the tourist information office. They said I would have to wait until El Corte Ingles department store opened at 9:30 for free loos. I went up to their ninth floor to take pictures from the cafeteria there. I walked through the Gothic quarter to the cathedral and the royal palace with St. Agatha's chapel.

   I then headed east passed the Picasso museum to the Citadel park. Here I photographed the famous cascade in the glorious sunshine.

The labyrinth (maze) in Barcelona, Spain

The labyrinth (maze) in Barcelona, Spain

   I turned back west along the prom, getting back to the ship just before noon. Here I had a SMALL puttanesca pizza, before sleeping for an hour and a half. I spent most of the afternoon working on my Caribbean slides. At 4:30 I spent 20 minutes in the central hot tub in the bright sunshine. At 4:45 the suites were released to the newly embarked guests.

   At 6:45 I introduced myself in the Panorama lounge, before rushing down to La Dolce Vita lounge to host the solo travellers. With over forty singles on board we had a good turnout including newcomers Kathleen, Judy, Jenny and James. I led Elaine from Dublin, Catherine from Atlanta, Millie from Sarasota, Sid from Las Vegas, Bob from Toronto and Alan from Odiham down to the Atlantide main restaurant.

   I began with the lobster bisque followed by the Parmesan & pear salad. I main coursed on the veal chop and finished with the sugar free Fantasia dessert. The table didn't break up until after ten o'clock! I lay in bed with the curtains open, watching the sail away from Barcelona through the windows. I was asleep soon after eleven o'clock, but I don't know how many miles I must have walked during the day, as I only took my old phone into Barcelona for fear of being mugged!


   One lady wrote: "I enjoyed our breakfast time together and little chats"

   Another lady wrote: "Fun reading through your cruise experience after I left the Silver Spirit. My time on the Silver Spirit was absolutely magical. And you played a role in that magic, from our very first dinner when you invited me to cha cha! I so enjoyed dancing with you all during the cruise."


Score card:

8 Silversea cruises
7 Port talks (including Santorini, Syracuse & Trapani combined)
6 Old ports (Rhodes, Heraklion, Syracuse, Trapani, Palma & Valencia)
5 Old islands (Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Sicily & Mallorca)
4 Silversea ships (Wind, Muse, Moon & Spirit)
4 Atlantide dinners
4 Spaccanapoli lunches
3 Lunches out on tour
3 Grill lunches
3 Tours escorted
3 In suite telephones
2 Silver Note dinners
2 La Terrazza dinners
1 New port (Catania)
1 Enrichment lecture (Mamma Mia!)

Good points:

  1. Nuts!
  2. Mini bar
  3. No heartburn!
  4. No headaches!
  5. Unlimited internet!
  6. Giving seven lectures
  7. Hosting the solo travellers
  8. Limousine ride from airport
  9. Suite (525) with balcony, bath AND shower!

For the record ...


Thirty Three Cruise Ships:

Saga Rose
Saga Ruby
Saga Sapphire
Saga Pearl II
Quest for Adventure
Spirit of Adventure (Old SofA)
Spirit of Adventure (New SofA)
Spirit of Discovery

Celebrity Silhouette
Celebrity Solstice
Celebrity Eclipse
Celebrity Edge
Celebrity Apex

Black Prince
Black Watch
Balmoral
Boudicca
Braemar

Silver Wind
Silver Muse
Silver Moon
Silver Spirit

Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2)
Queen Elizabeth (QE)
Queen Victoria (QV)
Queen Mary 2 (QM2)

Crystal Symphony
Crystal Serenity

Seabourn Odyssey
Seabourn Sojourn

Sapphire Princess

VoD Discovery

P&O Oriana